Police: 18-month-old also 'suffered substantial harm' - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Police: 18-month-old also 'suffered substantial harm'

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By WLOX Staff - email
Holly Phelps and Will May (Photo source: Biloxi Police Dept.) Holly Phelps and Will May (Photo source: Biloxi Police Dept.)

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BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -

Biloxi investigators now say an 18-month-old child, whose mother is charged with abuse and neglect of an infant, also suffered substantial harm as a result of neglect.

The 7-week-old baby girl is in critical condition at USA Medical Center in Mobile. She was airlifted there Thursday after arriving at Biloxi Regional Hospital with "suspicious injuries." Police said it appeared the little girl suffered injuries on Thursday, and had old injuries from weeks of repeated abuse.

When the child's mother and a man were arrested, authorities took the 18-month-old and another child, a 5-year-old, from their home on Irish Hill Drive. Both have been examined by medical personnel, and the toddler was found to have suffered "substantial harm to her physical and emotional health as a result of neglect." Authorities haven't released any information on the condition of the 5-year-old.

The mother, Holly Phelps, 25, is charged with felony child abuse, felony child neglect, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Will May, 31, is also facing those same neglect and drug charges.

The couple are being held at the Harrison County Adult Detention Facility. Phelps's bond is set at $450,000. May is being held without bond at the request of the Mississippi Department of Corrections because he was on probation for controlled substance violations.

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